Reviews

“…[she] allowed the warm tone of her instrument to soar…a pure delight to hear.”

– Rheinische Post (Germany)

“…stylish and radiant…”

– Dr. Elfrieda Hiebert, Harvard University

“…seemingly effortless technique enables her to float through virtuosic passages with ease.”

– Rhubarb Magazine

“I wouldn’t miss any of her performances…She is a true artist, able to inspire any audience”

– Audience member

Winnipeg Free Press – PRINT EDITION
June 23rd, 2011

Flutist opens historical doors

Haley Rempel makes own opportunities

By: Gwenda Nemerofsky

Haley Rempel shares stories of great composers.

You have to hand it to flutist Haley Rempel; the entrepreneurial spirit burns brightly in the heart of this 27-year-old musician/performer/teacher, and waiting for opportunities just isn’t part of her repertoire. Rempel goes out and makes them herself.

The graduate of River East Collegiate, McGill University and Yale University maintains a busy teaching and performing schedule while continuing to promote herself and the music she loves.

Tonight at 7:30 at the Berney Theatre at the Asper Jewish Community Campus, 123 Doncaster St., Rempel and a host of top local musicians will present a special multimedia presentation designed to stimulate and educate. The Men Behind the Music — Bach, Handel and Mozart fulfills a desire of Rempel’s to share the stories of the composers who wrote the music the audience hears.

“I want to give the audience a glimpse into the lives of the composers and the times in which the music was written,” she said in a telephone interview. “It will be done in a down-to-earth way. You will find out what they were like, what it would be like to have a coffee with them, about their personalities. They led fascinating lives that impacted their music.”

Rempel has shared this information with audiences before, and saw how it changed their perspectives on listening to the music.

“My goal isn’t to bring back the 1700s,” she said “but to bring back the spirit of the times, to let you know the real people.”

Along with Rempel on flute will be harpsichordist Eric Lussier, violinist Mary Lawton, cellists Yuri Hooker and Karin Erhardt as well as Carole Pollard on piano. The stories behind the composers will be presented on film. Local talent provides the onscreen narration. “It plays out like an historical documentary,” Rempel said. She warns that some content may not be suitable for anyone under 14.

Rempel was secretive about the repertoire but did disclose that Hooker would be playing one of the Bach solo cello suites and that she would perform Handel and Bach trio sonatas.